Rail links to Stansted must be improved

Speaking ahead of a debate on possible airport expansion Daniel Zeichner MP has called for better rail links to Stansted airport.

The Labour MP and shadow transport minister will say that Labour supports a new runway in the South East but because the Government is dragging its heels on making a decision on airport expansion, making use of underused capacity in the existing airport network including Stansted will become increasingly important.

Labour is calling for a National Infrastructure Commission to study the road and rail access needs of airports to inform Network Rail and Highway’s England’s five year funding periods, and to help them plan strategically.

Mr Zeichner will also call for the West Anglia Lines to be upgraded in the next funding period to enable better rail services to Stansted alongside development in North London and improved rail services to Cambridge.

Daniel Zeichner MP said: “Stansted needs world class public transport provision. We need decisive steps to improve access to our airports, to provide short-term solutions to airport capacity and connectivity problems and make life that little bit easier for many passengers in the East of England.”